Column bracket assembly and related methods and structures

Abstract

A column bracket assembly is provided. The column bracket assembly comprises a bottom base bracket and a top base bracket, each including a bracket body adapted to receive an end of support element (e.g. a wooden column) and a mounting bracket / plate pivotally coupled to the bracket body and adapted to be coupled to a structural element (e.g. a footing, pile, header, beam etc.). The column bracket assembly optionally includes mounting brackets for installing cross brace brackets and / or tension rods to the bracket bodies. A method of installing the column bracket assembly, and a method of repairing, resettling, shoring, and / or leveling a structure with the column bracket assembly are also provided, along with structures comprising the column bracket assembly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to load bearing support columns and column assemblies and, more specifically, to a column bracket assembly adapted to be fitted onto opposing ends of support elements to form a highly adaptable column.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many buildings and structures are placed on a foundation utilizing concrete footings. Such footings vary widely, from simple spread footings to stepped / pedestal footings, strap footings, mat footings, and the like, which may be used to support a single column or multiple columns (e.g. in the case of mat or raft foundations, combined footings, etc.). Other types of foundations may utilize pile foundations, which include a number of piles used to support a pile cap, which in turn acts as a footing to support columns or other such structural elements (e.g. masonry blocks, concrete walls, wood or concrete piles, etc.) in a manner similar to the footings above.[0003]Unfortunately, the commo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a column bracket assembly and a method for installing it on structures such as houses and pools. The assembly comprises a bottom base bracket and a top base bracket, with mounting brackets for installing cross brace brackets and tension rods. The installation method involves coupling the top and bottom base brackets to a supported element and a foundation element, and then coupling the support element to the bracket bodies of the top and bottom base brackets. The assembly can also be used for repairing, resettling, shoring, and leveling structures with compromised foundation support systems. Overall, the column bracket assembly provides a secure and reliable foundation for structures, allowing for proper load distribution and stability.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the common foundation motif suffers from a number of drawbacks, especially in terms of susceptibility to damage and, ultimately, loss of structural integrity, due to adverse weather conditions.

For example, in addition to water-based deterioration under normal circumstances, such foundation systems are known to fail zones frequented by flooding and / or seismic activity.

Specifically, observations from earthquakes have shown that pile-type structural elements, such as foundations, are susceptible to significant damage when subjected to loads induced by large seismic events, often via liquefaction and lateral spreading of surrounding soil leading to column deformation.

Vibration over time will also cause masonry units to crumble and even solid concretes to crack given the right conditions, such as those attributable to building shake from both natural (e.g. wind, seismic activity, etc.) and man-made activities (e.g. heavy traffic from roadways, railways, etc.).

These issues are may be even more severe in cases of flooding, where soil erosion, especially in instances where the surrounding soil contains layers with large differences in stiffness, can lead to column warp and failure, washout, etc.

In severe instances, such as in high wind areas caused by hurricanes, structures have been lifted or pushed off of foundations altogether, necessitating extreme measures to resettle and relevel buildings if such structures can even be saved.

Unfortunately, however, the installation of new foundational elements, or even proactive retrofitting of existing foundation elements to repair or mitigate such damage is prohibitively costly and labor intensive, often requiring a house lifter to lift and move a structure during the foundation repair.

In areas of vast destruction and damage, e.g. coastal areas hit by tropical storms, contractors and specialists in structural raising and foundation repair are unable to keep up with the inevitable spikes in localized demand and labor shortages and, even where available, cannot service every structure in need in a timely and cost effective manner.

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